System and method for varying response amplitude of radio transponders

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided for modifying the effective reading range of an radio frequency identification tag. The tag, a chip-based tag, includes an antenna and a chip in communication with the antenna. The chip includes circuitry including field effect transistors that can modify the effective reading range of the tag by modifying characteristics of the tag including the modulation depth of the backscatter signal, the impedance characteristics of the tag front end electronics, the power consumption characteristics and the threshold power-on voltage of the tag. These characteristics are change either temporarily or permanently in response to commands communicated to the tag from a radio frequency identification reader.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/562,355 filed Nov. 21, 2006, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,791,453 on Sept. 2, 2010. The entire disclosure of that application isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to radio frequency identification systemsand methods for the use of these systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable transponders employing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)are used in a variety of applications including to collect highwaytolls, to provide personal identification for access control and toprovide electronic information interchange, i.e. credit. Passive RFIDtags, i.e., tags without internal power sources such as batteries, andwireless cards contain chips, for example computer chips, microchips andmemory chips, that store data or information such as identificationinformation, credit card numbers and financial data. These passive tagsare applied to items and provide identification information in much thesame way as machine-readable optical tags such as bar codes are used.The data or information stored on a tag or wireless card is retrievedusing an RFID base station or reader. The reader transmits radio wavesthat cause the tag or card to transmit information stored on the tag,which is then received and interpreted by the reader. Since the tag orcard is a passive device without a source of power, power is derivedform the interrogation field transmitted by the reader, e.g., theinterrogation field excites a coil within the tag or card.

Examples of passive tags are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,148. Inits simplest form the RFID tag includes a circuit, typically in the formof a single silicon chip although more than one chip may be used in theconstruction of the RFID tag. This circuit is generally connected to anantenna. The RFID tag is incorporated in a desired device such as anidentification tag, a key fob or an identification card. For batteryassisted tags, sometimes referred to as semi-passive or semi-active, abattery may also be employed to extend the range of the tag. It is alsopossible in principle to build devices that function as tags or wirelesscards using electrical circuits including only resistors, capacitors andinductors as is well known by those skilled in the art.

One application for RFID is in the tracking of goods as these goods movethrough the supply chain from manufacturers through retailers toconsumers. For example, RFID tagging will be used for point of sale(POS) check out and data collection. For the item tagging application,RFID tags are attached to an item or the packaging of the item that isbeing inventoried or that is being offered for sale. The tag in manycases remains attached to the item after that item has been sold to acustomer. Since the tag is still active, that tag can be read after salewhile the item is in the possession of the consumer, raising consumerprivacy concerns. One method to alleviate these concerns is todeactivate or to disable the RFID tag after sale without actually havingto physically remove the tag.

The EPCglobal Generation 2, Gen2, RFID protocol includes a kill commandthat renders the tag inoperable. This kill command is often referred toas a “Privacy” command, which can be used to permanently deactivate thedevice at the end of its working life, for example as a customer leavesa store. However, there are problems associated with the kill command.For example, if the kill command permanently disables a tag, then thetag may not be used for future applications including use of the tag forrecalls or returns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention provide forthe modification and partial deactivation of an RFID tag by controllingthe amplitude of the backscatter radiation that the tag uses tocommunicate with an RFID base station or reader. In one embodiment, thefunction of the chip component of an RFID tag or transponder, includingthe circuitry included in the chip component, is controlled to alter thetag function to inhibit the ability of a base station or reader tointerrogate the RFID tag or transponder by wireless means for those tagsthat have been instructed by wireless means to limit the efficiency ofthe communications with the tag. Systems and methods in accordance withthe present invention can provide for both the permanent and temporarymodification, deactivation or disabling of wireless RFID tags. A typicalRFID tag is a chip-based tag that includes an antenna and a chip incommunication with the antenna. The chip includes circuitry and inparticular front end circuitry that can modify the effective readingrange of the tag in response to a command from an RFID reader.

In one embodiment of a method for controlling a radio frequencyidentification system in accordance with the present invention, at leastone command from a radio frequency identification reader is communicatedto a chip-based radio frequency identification tag that includes anantenna and a chip in communication with the antenna. The effectivereading range of the radio frequency identification tag is then modifiedin response to the communicated command. In one embodiment, modificationof the effective reading range of the tag includes adjusting theeffective reading range between a maximum reading range and a minimumreading range. In one embodiment, modification of the effective readingrange of the tag includes reducing a modulation depth of a backscattersignal transmitted by the radio frequency identification tag in responseto an interrogation signal from the radio frequency identificationreader. Reduction of the modulation depth includes modulating impedancevalues between the antenna and the chip between two modulation statesand limiting impedance difference between the two modulation states.

In one embodiment, modification of the effective reading range of thetag includes modifying the impedance characteristics of front endelectronics in the chip. In another embodiment power consumptioncharacteristics of the radio frequency identification tag are modifiedin order to modify the effective reading range of the tag. For example,an additional power drain such as a field-effect transistor isincorporated in a power path of the tag. In one embodiment, modificationof the effective reading range further involves modifying the level ofincident power sufficient to operate the chip in the tag, for example bychanging the threshold voltage of a power-on reset circuit capable ofactivating circuitry in the chip.

In one embodiment of an exemplary method for locating an object using aradio frequency identification system in accordance with the presentinvention, at least one interrogation signal is communicated to achip-based radio frequency identification tag containing an antenna anda chip in communication with the antenna. At least one response signalis transmitted from the radio frequency identification tag to each oneof a plurality of radio frequency identification readers. The effectivereading range of the transmitted response signal is reduced over timeuntil a minimum effective reading range of the transmitted responsesignal is identified for each one of the plurality of radio frequencyidentification readers. A location of the radio frequency identificationtag is determined based upon the identified minimum effective readingranges.

In one embodiment, the interrogation signal is communicated to each oneof a plurality of chip-based radio frequency identification calibrationtags that each contain an antenna and a chip in communication with theantenna. Each calibration tag is located a known distance form each oneof the plurality of radio frequency identification readers. A responsesignal is transmitted from the calibration tags tag to each one of aplurality of radio frequency identification readers, and the effectivereading range of the transmitted response signals are reduced over time.The minimum effective reading range of the transmitted response signalis identified for each calibration tag and radio frequencyidentification reader, and the effective reading range between eachcalibration tag and radio frequency identification reader is associatedwith the known distance. These associations between effective readingranges and distances are used to determine the location of the radiofrequency identification tag. In one embodiment, the electricalcharacteristics of front end electronics in the chip of the radiofrequency identification tag are modified in order to reduce theeffective reading ranges.

In one exemplary embodiment, a radio frequency identification system isprovided having a radio frequency identification tag capable ofreceiving interrogation signals and commands from a radio frequencyidentification reader. The radio frequency identification tag includesan antenna and a chip in communication with the antenna. The chipincludes circuitry capable of modifying an effective reading range ofthe radio frequency identification tag. In one embodiment, the circuitryincludes two or more field-effect transistors such as N-channelmetal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. In one embodiment,the chip also includes power recovery circuitry capable of recoveringand storing energy from the interrogating signal. This circuitryincludes a switch and capacitor in parallel with the power recoverycircuitry. In one embodiment, this switch is an N-channelmetal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. In one embodiment,the chip includes power recovery circuitry capable of recovering andstoring energy from the interrogating signal. This circuitry includes afield-effect transistor in parallel with the power recovery circuitryand capable of introducing additional power drain. In one embodiment,the circuitry also includes a power on reset circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of an RFID system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a passivechip-type RFID tag;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a passivechip-type RFID tag showing a transistor for modulation control in thefront end electronics of the chip;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of front endelectronics in the RFID tag chip in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of front endelectronics in the RFID tag chip in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of front endelectronics in the RFID tag chip in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of front endelectronics in the RFID tag chip in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of an applicationenvironment for the modifiable RFID system of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method formodifying the effective reading range of an RFID tag in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a radiofrequency identification (RFID) system 100 for use in accordance withthe present invention is illustrated. A user 110, for example a person,customer, worker or cardholder, carries an item 115 that has at leastone attached wireless or RFID tag 120. The RFID tag includes an antenna125 and a chip (not shown) in communication with the antenna. The chipincludes circuitry that enables the recovery of data and, in the case ofa passive or field-powered tag, power from the signals present on theantenna as well as circuitry that enables signals to be sent from thetag to an RFID reader 150. The chip may also include additionalcircuitry enabling, for example, changing chip operating mode,processing of incoming data or processing of outgoing data. Thus, thechip includes diode detection, logic and memory circuits. The systemalso includes an RFID reader 150 that includes an antenna 155. SuitableRFID readers or base stations are known and available in the art. TheRFID reader 150 is in communication with a computing system 170, forexample an inventory management system, a physical access control systemor a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, and is capable of receivinginformation from and transmitting information to the computing system170. The computing system 170 is in communication with one or more localarea or wide area networks 180, which makes possible the exchange ofinformation with other computing systems. In order to obtain theinformation stored on the RFID tag, the RFID reader transmits aninterrogating signal 160 using an electromagnetic signal transmitted bythe RFID reader antenna. The interrogating signal is received by theRFID tag 120, and in response, the RFID tag transmits a response signal165 containing its information that is received by the RFID reader andtransmitted to the computing system, where it is processed and stored ina database.

In one embodiment, in order to protect the privacy of the user 110, theRFID tag 120 is constructed with a modifiable effective reading rangefor the response signal 165. For example, the range of the responsesignal can be controlled from a maximum range, for example about 10meters, to a fraction of that maximum range, for example just a fewcentimeters. In one embodiment, modification of the response signalrange includes sending a command from the RFID reader to the RFID tagthat modifies the function of the chip located on the RFID tag. Thiscommand can be send before, during or after a given interrogation of theRFID tag or at the request of the user.

An embodiment of a chip-based RFID tag 10 showing the general structuresof the tag and the front end circuitry is illustrated in FIG. 2. Asillustrated the RFID tag is a passive tag, although passive, semi-activeand active tags can be used in accordance with the present invention. Asillustrated, the RFID tag 10 includes an antenna 12 and a chip 14 incommunication with the antenna. The antenna receives interrogatingsignals and commands from a RFID reader and communicates these signalsand commands to the chip. The chip derives power from the signals, iscapable of sending a response signal using backscatter and can modifythe operation of the tag in response to the command. In particular, thechip can modify the effective reading distance of the tag in response toone or more commands from the RFID reader. As illustrated, the front endcircuitry of the chip includes separate signal and power paths. The chip14 includes power recovery circuitry 16 capable of recovering andstoring energy from the interrogating RF field. In addition, the frontend circuitry of the chip also includes signal recovery and modulationcircuitry 18 that is capable of demodulating incoming data during thereceive operation and of modulating the effective input impedance of thefront end during the transmission via backscatter operation. The chip 14also includes additional electronics 20 to provide for data storage andcontrol of the tag such as random access memory, resident memory,electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and controlcircuitry. In general, the effectiveness of power collection, signalreception and signal backscatter are all strongly dependent on thenature of the impedance relationship between the RFID IC (integratedcircuit) front end and the RFID tag antenna.

An embodiment of the chip-based RFID tag 10 with a backscatter modulatoris illustrated in FIG. 3. As illustrated, the chip 14 includes at leastone field-effect transistor 22 arranged in parallel with the signalrecovery circuitry 18. Preferably, the field-effect transistors used inaccordance with the present invention are N-channelmetal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET or nMOSFET).In one embodiment, the MOSFET is turned on and off to effect themodulation. In the off state, the front end circuitry of the chip 14presents one input impedance to the antenna 12. In the on state, thefront end circuitry of the chip 14 presents a different input impedanceto the antenna 12. These two impedance values affect the reflectivity ofthe overall RFID tag 10. Switching the modulation control signal on andoff thus induces variations in reflectivity that can be detected by thebase station. To maximize the range of the RFID tag, the reflectivitydifference that is achieved through modulator control is maximized.

In order to provide the increased level of privacy that users of RFIDsystems desire, systems and methods in accordance with the presentinvention provide for the modification and in particular the reductionof the effective reading range of an RFID tag, for example after the taghas been deployed. Systems and methods in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention utilize a plurality of circuits andoperating conditions either alone or in combination to provide for themodification of the effective reading range of the RFID tag. Thesesystems and methods include, but are not limited to, circuitry toprovide for reducing the modulation depth of the backscatter signal,circuitry to provide for changing the overall input impedancecharacteristic of the tag front end, circuitry to provide for changingthe power consumption characteristics of the tag, circuitry to providefor changing the value at which the tag judges incident power to besufficient for it to operate and combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of an RFID tag 10 showingcircuitry for reducing the modulation depth of the backscatter signal inaccordance with the present invention is illustrated. As illustrated,the chip 14 includes at least two field-effect transistors 24,26arranged in parallel with the signal recovery circuitry 18. In oneembodiment, a first one of the transistors 26 is operated as a switch inthe same way as the modulating transistor 22 of FIG. 3. The second oneof the transistors 24 is used to limit the total current that the firsttransistor 26 can conduct when active. A reduction in the amount ofcurrent that is allowed to flow in the active state produces a smallerimpedance difference between the two modulation states of the firsttransistor. This smaller impedance difference makes it harder for theRFID reader to recover the backscatter signal from the RFID tag. Whenthe difference between the two modulation states is sufficiently small,the range or distance at which the RFID tag can be read, i.e. theeffective reading range, is set by base station sensitivity limits.Analog signals, digital signals or a combination of analog and digitalsignals can be used to set the value of the control voltage on thesecond transistor 24. In addition, the control state that sets thosecontrol voltages could be temporarily set, e.g., via data storage in anEEPROM, or permanently set, e.g., via blowing an on-chip fuse. In oneembodiment, the voltage of the first transistor 26 is directlycontrolled without the second transistor to limit the current. Inaddition, other configurations of two or more transistors can be used toachieve the same variable current result. Suitable RFID tags for usewith this embodiment include passive, semi-active and active RFID tags.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of an RFID tag 10 thatincludes circuitry to change the overall input impedance characteristicof the front end circuitry of the chip in accordance with the presentinvention is illustrated. As illustrated, the chip and in particular thefront end circuitry of the chip, includes a field-effect transistor 28and a capacitor 30 arranged in parallel with the power recoverycircuitry 16. In accordance with the present invention, the field-effecttransistor 28 acts as an RF switch. When the transistor 28 is on, thecapacitor 30 connected to its source will affect the input impedance ofthe RFID tag. When the transistor 28 is off, the capacitor 30 will nothave this effect. Changing the overall front end impedance, using thecircuit shown in FIG. 5 or an alternative circuit, changes the overallimpedance range of the RFID tag. Large changes in input impedance resultin significant reductions in tag range. Either analog or digital signalscan be used to set the value of the control voltage on the transistorswitch 28. In addition, the control state that sets those controlvoltages could be temporarily set, e.g., via data storage in an EEPROM,or permanently set, e.g., via blowing an on-chip fuse. Suitable RFIDtags for use with this embodiment include passive, semi-active andactive RFID tags.

Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary embodiment of an RFID tag utilizing achange in the power consumption of the tag to modify the effectiveoperating range in accordance with the present invention is illustrated.The front end circuitry of the chip includes a field-effect transistor32 shown in parallel with the power recovery circuitry 16. When thetransistor 32 is turned on, power consumption in the RFID tag isincreased. In addition, the RFID tag input impedance is also affected.The additional current drain on the power path reduces the effectivereading range of the RFID tag. Analog signals, digital signals or acombination of analog and digital signals can be used to set the valueof the control voltage on the transistor 32. In addition, the controlstate that sets those control voltages could be temporarily set, e.g.,via data storage in an EEPROM, or permanently set, e.g., via blowing anon-chip fuse. Suitable RFID tags for use with this embodiment includepassive RFID tags. In one embodiment, the transistor 32 or other currentdrain device is not placed in parallel with the power recovery circuitry16 but may be incorporated into the power recovery circuitry 16.

Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment of an RFID tag 10 utilizinga change in the level at which the RFID tag deems incident powersufficient to operate in accordance with the present invention isillustrated. The chip includes a power-on reset circuit 34 incommunication with the power recovery circuitry 16 that activates theRFID tag circuitry and enables communication when a minimum voltage isrealized on the power rail of the RFID tag. The power-on reset circuitensures that when the RFID tag is operating, all of its internal logicstarts in a known state. Changing the threshold voltage of the power-onreset circuit changes the range at which the RFID tag would be able tooperate. Raising this threshold voltage reduces the range of the RFIDtag. Both analog and digital signals can be used to set the value of thethreshold voltage of the power-on reset. In addition, the thresholdvoltage could be temporarily set, e.g., via data storage in an EEPROM,or permanently set, e.g., via blowing an on-chip fuse. Suitable RFIDtags for use with this embodiment include passive RFID tags.

Referring to FIG. 8, an exemplary embodiment of an applicationenvironment 300 for use with the RFID systems and methods of the presentinvention is illustrated. The application environment illustrateslocalization or location of RFID tags for use in locating individualitems in a retail storage area or on the floor of a retailestablishment, for locating items in a warehouse, for locating patientsor newborn babies in a hospital and for locating animals within a zoo,among other applications. In accordance with one embodiment, a modifiedover-the-air protocol is used in which the output amplitude of the RFIDtag can be programmatically changed by a factor k, which varies fromzero to 100%. This factor k is set by the RFID reader or interrogationdevice. Information about the signal received from a given RFID tag suchas the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) at a given RFIDreader's antenna or the fact that a given tag is readable or not iscorrelated to the factor k and the distance and orientation of the tagrelative to the transducer's antenna. By using multiple transducers or asingle transducer with multiple antennas strategically positionedthroughout a physical space, the position and orientation of a givenRFID tag can be determined without additional equipment.

As illustrated, a given monitored region 301, for example a warehouse orretail establishment, is equipped with an array of RFID readers orantennas connected to a single reader, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316,317. One of the transducers, for example the transducer 313 controllingthe transducer array or antenna array is connected by wired or wirelessmeans 360 to a local computing system 370. The local computing system isconnected to one or more networks 380 including local area networks andwide area networks such the Internet and is in communication with atleast one remote computing system 390 through the network. Within themonitored region 301 is at least one and alternatively a plurality ofobjects 320. Suitable objects include, but are not limited to, anindividual item, a case containing many items, a pallet, a person or ananimal. Each object 320 is tagged with an RFID tag 325. Suitable RFIDtags include RFID tags in accordance with the present invention thatinclude circuitry that provides for the modification of the effectivereading range of the RFID tag in response, for example, to commandsreceived from a RFID reader. By varying the output amplitude of the RFIDtag from about zero to about 100 percent, the distances 332, 333, 334,to one or more sets of RFID readers or antennas 312, 313, 314 can bedetermined.

In one embodiment, distances as a function of amplitude are establishedthrough the use of a set of calibration units or calibration RFID tags341, 342, 343, 344 disposed in the monitored region 301. An example ofthe use of a positioning system to establish the locations ofcalibration tags is disclosed in U.S. published patent application no.2006/0061476. As described, the location of the tags is determined by anEkahau Positioning Engine, which uses the signal strengths of wirelessaccess points as measured as the wireless card of a client system todetermine the position of the client system that simultaneously uses anRFID reader to record the presence of an RFID calibration tag at thedetermined location.

Once the distances to three or more calibration RFID tags or antennasare established, the computing system uses this calibration informationto determine the location of the transponder or tag 325. For objectsarranged in a plane, the distances to three RFID readers are sufficientto establish the location of the RFID tag 325 and hence the taggedobject 320. Four such distances may be required for locating RFID tagsin a three dimensional space. Since the radiation sent by each RFID tagis not necessarily isotropic, the precision of the location system willbe enhanced by the use of RFID tags and RFID reader antennas havingradiation patterns in the plane of location close to isotropic. Suitabletags and readers include circular polarization reader antennas and tags.Suitable circular polarization reader antennas and tags are commerciallyavailable from Alien Technology of Morgan Hill, Calif., SymbolTechnologies, Inc. of Holtsville, N.Y. and the Intemec TechnologiesCorporation of Everett, Wash.

Therefore, tagged objects or persons within the range of the array ofRFID readers or antennas can be located. This will enable locatingspecific objects on the shelves of a warehouse or on the sales floor ofa retail store. Such a system will aid in the taking of inventory, thediscovery of out-of-stock-items, which will not return a signal to thereader, and the location of specific items in a warehouse for thereplenishment of out-of-stock items.

Referring to FIG. 9, an exemplary embodiment of a method for modifyingthe output of an RFID tag 400 to a level such as to reduce the effectivereading range of the RFID tag in accordance with the present inventionis illustrated. In order to be able to assure a user that a given RFIDtag has been deactivated, partially deactivated or disabled,confirmation of the deactivation of an RFID tag is provided usingelectronic confirmation. Initially, a determination is made regardingwhether or not full function, i.e. maximum range is desired in the RFIDtag 410. If full function is desired, a test is performed, for exampleusing an RFID reader, to determine if an RFID tag is at full function420, i.e. maximum effective reading range. If the tag is not at fullfunction, then a command is sent to the RFID tag to place the tag atfull function 440, and the RFID is retested. This process is continueduntil the RFID tag is determined to be at full function. If fullfunction is not desired, the desired level of RFID tag function isidentified 430 and a command is send to the RFID tag to place the tag atthe desired level of function 450. For example, the RFID tag can bedeactivated by sending a deactivation or disable command from the readerto the tag. A check is then made to determine if the RFID tag is at thedesired level 460. If not, then the command is resent, and the tag isretested until the desired function level is achieved in the RFID tag.

In one exemplary method for controlling a radio frequency identificationsystem in accordance with the present invention, at least one command iscommunicated from a radio frequency identification reader or basestation to a chip-based radio frequency identification tag ortransponder. This command can be communicated before, during or after aninterrogation signal is sent from the reader to the tag. The RFID tagincludes an antenna and a chip in communication with the antenna. Thechip includes the electrical and electronic circuitry required for theoperation of the tag and for providing responses and information to thereader. The command is received by the antenna and communicated to thechip, and the chip interprets and processes the command. In response tothe communicated command, the effective reading range of the radiofrequency identification tag is modified. The effective reading range ofthe tag can be temporarily or permanently modified.

In one embodiment, the modification of the effective reading range ofthe RFID tag involves adjusting the effective reading range between amaximum reading range and a minimum reading range. For securitypurposes, modification of the effective reading range would involveadjusting the effective reading range to the minimum reading range. Inone embodiment, modification of the effective reading range includesreducing the modulation depth of the backscatter signal transmitted bythe radio frequency identification tag in response to the interrogationsignal from the radio frequency identification reader. In order toreduce the modulation depth, the impedance difference between the twomodulation states, i.e. the impedance values between the antenna and thechip, is limited. In another embodiment, the effective reading range ismodified by modifying the impedance characteristics of front endelectronics in the chip.

In one embodiment, modification of the effective reading range involvesmodifying the power consumption characteristics of the radio frequencyidentification tag. Modification of the power consumptioncharacteristics includes incorporating at least one additional powerdrain in the power path of the tag. For example, a field-effecttransistor can be placed into the power path to increase tag powerconsumption. In one embodiment, modification of the effective readingranged of the RFID tag is accomplished by modifying the level ofincident power sufficient to operate the chip in the tag. For example,the threshold voltage of a power-on reset circuit capable of activatingcircuitry in the chip is changed or preferably increased.

While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein fulfill the objectives of the present invention, it isappreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may bedevised by those skilled in the art. Additionally, feature(s) and/orelement(s) from any embodiment may be used singly or in combination withother embodiment(s) and steps or elements from methods in accordancewith the present invention can be executed or performed in any suitableorder.

Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intendedto cover all such modifications and embodiments, which would come withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling a radio frequencyidentification system, the method comprising: communicating at least onecommand from a radio frequency identification reader to a chip-basedradio frequency identification tag comprising an antenna and a chip incommunication with the antenna, the chip comprising power recoverycircuitry in communication with the antenna and configured to recoverand store energy from the interrogating signals, signal recoverycircuitry separate from the power recovery circuitry, in communicationwith the antenna and configured to demodulate incoming data and tagcontrol electronics in communication with the power recovery circuitryand signal recovery circuitry and configured to control the powerrecovery circuitry and signal recovery circuitry; modifying an effectivereading range of the radio frequency identification tag in response tothe communicated command by: controlling a modulation depth ofbackscatter radiation that the radio frequency identification tag usesto communicate with the radio frequency identification reader using afield-effect transistor comprising a drain and source configured inparallel with the signal recovery circuitry and a gate in communicationwith the tag control electronics; and modifying power consumptioncharacteristics of the radio frequency identification tag using afield-effect transistor comprising a drain and source configured inparallel with the power recovery circuitry and a gate in communicationwith the tag control electronics.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thestep of modifying the effective reading range further comprisesadjusting the effective reading range between a maximum reading rangeand a minimum reading range.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the stepof modifying the effective reading range further comprises reducing themodulation depth of a backscatter signal transmitted by the radiofrequency identification tag in response to an interrogation signal fromthe radio frequency identification reader.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the step of reducing the modulation depth further comprises:modulating impedance values between the antenna and the chip between twomodulation states; and limiting impedance difference between the twomodulation states.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofmodifying the effective reading range further comprises modifyingimpedance characteristics of front end electronics in the chip.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further wherein the step of modifying powerconsumption characteristics further comprises incorporating capacitor inseries with the field effect transistor.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the step of modifying the effective reading range furthercomprises modifying a level of incident power sufficient to operate thechip in the tag.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of modifyingthe level of incident power further comprises changing a thresholdvoltage of a power-on reset circuit capable of activating circuitry inthe chip.
 9. A radio frequency identification system comprising: a radiofrequency identification tag capable of receiving interrogation signalsand commands from a radio frequency identification reader, the radiofrequency identification tag comprising: an antenna; and a chip incommunication with the antenna and comprising circuitry configured tomodify an effective reading range of the radio frequency identificationtag, the circuitry comprising: power recovery circuitry in communicationwith the antenna and configured to recover and store energy from theinterrogating signals; signal recovery circuitry separate from the powerrecovery circuitry, in communication with the antenna and configured todemodulate incoming data; tag control electronics in communication withthe power recovery circuitry and signal recovery circuitry andconfigured to control the power recovery circuitry and signal recoverycircuitry; power consumption modification circuitry arranged in parallelwith the power recovery circuitry and configured to modify powerconsumption characteristics of the radio frequency identification tag,the power consumption modification circuitry comprising a field-effecttransistor comprising a drain and source configured in parallel with thepower recovery circuitry and a gate in communication with the tagcontrol electronics; and impedance modulation circuitry arranged inparallel with the signal recovery circuitry and configured to control amodulation depth of backscatter radiation that the radio frequencyidentification tag uses to communicate with the radio frequencyidentification reader, the impedance modulation circuitry comprising afield-effect transistor comprising a drain and source configured inparallel with the signal recovery circuitry and a gate in communicationwith the tag control electronics.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein theimpedance modulation circuitry comprises two field-effect transistorsarranged in series, each field-effect transistor comprising a drain andsource configured in parallel with the signal recovery circuitry and agate in communication with the tag control electronics.
 11. The systemof claim 10, wherein the field effect transistors comprise N-channelmetal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors.
 12. The system ofclaim 9, wherein: the signal recovery circuitry is further configured tomodulate an effective input impedance of the circuitry duringtransmission of the backscatter radiation; and the power consumptionmodification circuitry further comprises a capacitor in series with thefield effect transistor.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the fieldeffect transistor comprises an N-channel metal-oxide-semiconductorfield-effect transistor.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the powerrecovery circuitry comprises a power on reset circuit.